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ReUsing Plastic Bags...

I have been a long time fan of these

little treasures and can't imagine tossing

them unless I have used them for something!

Every now and then they do need to be tossed out

 (leaky meat from the grocery store for example).

Tying them in a knot will help keep them

 from flying around once they end up in a

landfill somewhere...

For most of the projects and or crafts that use the

plastic grocery store bags, I first open them up. I get it

to lay nice and flat,straightening the folds on each side.

Using a good pair of scissors, cut the bottom seam off,

cut the handles off and then cut one side seam.

 Opened up ,it's a lot of material!  

Of course the obvious is to use the plastic

grocery bags for small trash cans.To make them

 more handy,I line the can with about 3 of them.

When it's full,there's already another bag in

the can and if there's a hole in the

full one you have a back up!

If you have cats (and litter box,you'll like

this one...I line a small trash can with about

10 bags,I keep the scooper inside the first bag,

When it's time, I grab the can,scoop,dump,tie

the top of the bag with the handles,check for leaks,

if the bag I was using has a hole,I grab the next

one...clean the scoop,put it back inside

the first bag and done! So nice!

For this project, I used the braided design for

a Christmas ball I made but I also used it as a plant

hanger, it's pretty strong.

Basically, take 3 bags,cut off the bottom

seams and handles. Cut open each at the side

seam. Open and flatten all three in a row, then tie

them together at one end.Holding the knot with your

feet or attach to a door knob etc...start braiding.

As your going along, feed the print into the braid

so it's not showing. Leave about 10" open at the

bottom.Tape 2 of the 3 ends to hold in place.Twist

the loose end,hold,twist eac of the other ends and

tape together to hold.Tie all 3 into a knot and done! 

 You can paint it before or after but plastic is tricky,

you have to use a sealer so the paint does'nt flake.

This was a fun project that used up

a lot of my bags! Very easy to make

and great for a center piece

or even outside!...

Click here for details 

A plastic bag was the key to making these butterflies. 

I used a butterfly pattern but you can use what ever

design you like! Create an entire window scene!

Using layers of Mod Podge,a plastic bag for the design,

paint and a pattern, this project will stick to a window or

the frig! 

Click here for details 

 I reuse bags all the time for projects and crafts. 

I can't afford to buy every color of paint so with the

basic colors I try variations. By using a piece of plastic

bag to mix the paint colors,I can either keep it by

folding the plastic and paper clipping for later

 or toss it out.

I've taped large pieces to the table for the kids

 to use as a table protector when they are painting or

 coloring (I use painters or scotch tape so there's no

adhesive left behind).

 I use them to hold all my fabric pieces (as you can see

I used an old shoe rack and put the racks upside down)

I stow them mostly by color so I can see what I need

 and either grab a bag or just a piece.

 It took about 20 minutes to put Boo together

 and he turned out so cute! You can hang them anywhere

 inside or out!

This is a quick project if you run out of

wrapping paper (any occasion) and still have

bits and pieces..

Flatten out your bag,attach a piece of

wrapping paper (I frayed the edges for fun) bit over size of

the bag,fitting all the way to the handles using Mod Podge

or hot glue.Take a piece of thin cardboard (see ReUse Cardboard)

and cut down to 3 sides for inside form.Place tissue paper

and gift inside form, tie off the top with ribbon,

including the handles and done!